October 10, 2000|By Roch Kubatko
Note: Yankees players listed first
First base
Tino Martinez vs. John Olerud: Olerud drove in 103 runs in his first season with the Mariners, and batted .300 with a homer and two RBIs in the Division Series. Martinez couldn't touch the first set of numbers, batting .258 with 91 RBIs during the regular season and being dropped as low as eighth in the Yankees' order. But he played an integral part in New York's advancement to the ALCS, hitting a three-run double in the decisive fifth game of the Division Series and batting .421.
Edge: Seattle.
Second base
Luis Sojo vs. Mark McLemore: Sojo took the starting job away from Chuck Knoblauch, whose erratic throws landed him on the bench. Sojo gives the Yankees a reliable glove, with the occasional spectacular play. His five RBIs in the Division Series were a bonus. McLemore was 1-for-9 in the first round of the playoffs, but brings a better offensive reputation than Sojo. His defense is underrated.
Edge: Seattle.
Shortstop
Derek Jeter vs. Alex Rodriguez: This is the marquee matchup, one that sparks debates throughout baseball. Who is the better player? Most important, who had the better season? That would be A-Rod, who batted .316 with 41 homers, 132 RBIs and 100 walks. Jeter has the higher average at .339, but hit 15 homers with 73 RBIs. He also committed 24 errors, compared to 10 by Rodriguez. And Rodriguez remains on a roll, going 4-for-13 (.308) with two RBIs in the playoffs. Jeter hit .211.
Edge: Seattle.
Third base
Scott Brosius vs. David Bell: This has been a disappointing season for Brosius, who batted .230 in the regular season and gave up some playing time to Sojo. He needed two hits in Game 5 of the Division Series to raise his average to .176. Bell isn't as good defensively, but he's been a presence in the lineup. He went 4-for-11 with a double and an RBI in the Division Series. Go with the hotter player.
Edge: Seattle.
Catcher
Jorge Posada vs. Joe Oliver and Dan Wilson: Posada emerged as the player the Yankees figured he'd be when they allowed Joe Girardi to leave as a free agent over the winter. And he'll keep getting better. He batted .287 with 28 homers and 86 RBIs, and was chosen as an All-Star reserve. Like the other Yankees, his bat quieted in the Division Series, but he's never an easy out. Oliver was used more late in the season to provide offense, which is all you need to know about Wilson's production. The Mariners lose something defensively with Oliver.
Edge: New York.
Left field
David Justice vs. Rickey Henderson: Would it be fair to name Justice the Yankees' Most Valuable Player when he began the year in Cleveland? He's a huge reason why New York held on for the AL East title. His home run off Oakland's Kevin Appier helped the Yankees to their Game 5 win. On the season, Justice batted .286 with 41 homers and 118 RBIs. Henderson still is a menace on the bases -- and, on occasion, in the clubhouse -- but his days as a feared leadoff hitter have faded.
Edge: New York.
Center field
Bernie Williams vs. Mike Cameron: Some Bronx campaigning for Williams as league MVP picked up steam as the Yankees built a comfortable lead in the AL East. He batted .307 with 30 homers and 121 RBIs, and his .250 average in the Division Series looked good compared to the numbers around him. He remains one of the game's best all-around players. Cameron was a nice pickup from Cincinnati in the Ken Griffey trade, batting .267 with 19 homers and 24 steals. He covers a lot of ground in center, but he can't fill Williams' shoes.
Edge: New York.
Right field
Paul O'Neill vs. Jay Buhner: Injuries have taken a toll on Buhner through the years, but he's still a dangerous hitter who belted 26 homers this season. O'Neill drove in 100 runs during the season, but he's been hindered down the stretch by a hip injury. Maybe his two hits on Sunday were a sign that he's ready to bust out. Maybe not.
Edge: Even.
Designated hitter
Chuck Knoblauch and Glenallen Hill vs. Edgar Martinez: Martinez continues to defy the aging process. He batted .324 with 37 homers and 145 RBIs, numbers that easily would make him the Mariners MVP if not for someone named Rodriguez. He batted .364 in the Division Series, winning Game 1 with a 10th-inning home run. Knoblauch got back into the lineup, and manager Joe Torre's good graces, on Sunday and responded with two first-inning hits to spearhead a six-run outburst. The Yankees need him atop the order, kick-starting a sluggish offense. Hill can hit a ball 500 feet, or miss it by a mile.
Edge: Seattle.
Starters
